Plan for your retirement with an IRA from TD Ameritrade

Explore how a TD Ameritrade IRA can help you build the future you envision

A TD Ameritrade IRA comes with advantages and features that make investing for your future easier. Visit the education center to find tools and videos to help you get started, analyze your strategy with objective third-party research, and access a wide range of investment products to build a portfolio that’s unique to you. And best of all, there are no maintenance fees or account minimums―note that commissions, service fees, and exception fees still apply*. Funding your account is easier too. Make a deposit or set up automatic contributions right from your smartphone with the TD Ameritrade Mobile App.

Traditional Versus Roth IRA

When deciding between a Traditional IRA and a Roth IRA, you’ll want to compare the after-tax dollars that would be available to you under each plan. Several factors to consider include your tax bracket, how many years you have until retirement, and when you wish to begin making withdrawals. For many people, a Roth IRA will result in more after-tax income during retirement because qualified withdrawals from a Roth IRA are tax free, while withdrawals from a traditional IRA will be taxed. For people whose contributions to a traditional IRA are tax deductible and are in a higher tax bracket today than they will be during retirement, a traditional IRA may be a smart choice.

IRA Rollovers

Make managing your retirement assets easier and more convenient with a 401k rollover. A TD Ameritrade IRA gives you flexibility—you can choose from a wide range of investment choices, have access to helpful online tools and calculators, investment seminars, third-party research, portfolio guidance and other resources you won't find with the typical employer-sponsored 401k plan. It's everything you need to plan for your own retirement. And if you need assistance, you can call 800-213-4583 to speak with a retirement consultant who can help you every step of the way. You can also download the helpful Rollover Pocket Guide for easy reference.

Roth IRA Conversions

Thinking about converting all or part of your Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA? You should know Roth conversions can be advantageous for individuals with large traditional IRA accounts who expect their future tax bills to stay at the same level or grow at the time they plan to start withdrawing from their tax-advantaged account. Roth IRA’s also allow for tax-free withdrawals of qualified distributions. But remember, conversions trigger a tax bill, so it may be more attractive to convert the further you are from retirement. That way you have longer for your earnings to grow, giving you more time to compensate for the tax bill.

Open Your Account

TD Ameritrade offers IRA accounts to help you meet your goals based on your lifestyle and income. View all the retirement account types to determine the one that’s right for you. Once you’ve decided, you need to open your account to get started.

Rollovers:If applicable, select "Rollover" on your TD Ameritrade account application as the method to fund your account. You will also have to contact the plan administrator of your old retirement plan to complete and submit their paperwork. You can also have a TD Ameritrade retirement consultant assist you in this process. Simply call 800-213-4583 to request this service.

Age Requirements:It varies by state, but the majority requires you to be 18 years of age. A select few do require you to be 19 to start an IRA. You should check the legal requirement in your state.

Choosing Your Investments

Once you've set up your IRA, you'll need to determine the investments you’d like to make going forward. You can pick and manage your investment by looking at your investment product options and some useful tools. TD Ameritrade offers many valuable tools for to help you select your retirement account investments. Three helpful places to start include:

Contributions

The rules for IRA contributions may vary from year to year, so you should periodically check both the contribution rules and the income rules to ensure your eligibility to participate and contribute.

Traditional IRAs have no income limits as long as the account holder has taxable compensation and is younger than age 70½ by the end of the tax year. Contributions are deductible if the account holder meets IRS requirements and no contributions are allowed after age 70½. Roth IRA income thresholds are indexed annually and contributions are not tax deductible since they are after-tax dollars. Contributions to a Roth IRA are allowed after age 70 ½ if the owner has earned income.

Distributions

The rules for Traditional and Roth IRA distributions differ significantly, so it’s good to educate yourself. Qualified distributions from Traditional IRAs are taxed as income and withdrawals before age 59½ may also be subject to a 10% penalty. Qualified distributions from a Roth IRA are tax free and withdrawals from accounts held less than five years or before age 59½ may be subject to taxes and a 10% penalty.

TD Ameritrade offers several methods for distributing your IRA funds. You can set up automatic distributions, transfer funds to another account or transfer holdings.

IRS Reporting

All funds coming into an IRA are reported to the IRS and also mailed to our clients on Form 5498. Form 5498 covers the period between January 1, 2015 and April 15, 2016 for the 2015 tax year. These forms are mailed by May 31, 2016 for the 2015 tax year.

If you remove funds from your account during the calendar year, you will receive a 1099-R form showing the amounts reported to the IRS. These forms are mailed by January 31 for the preceding calendar year.

Direct Transfers are not reported to the IRS and will not show on either of these forms.

If you have any additional questions on how your IRA transactions are reported, please consult your tax advisor or visit the IRS Web site.

Reporting Your Conversion

The value of your conversion to a Roth IRA will be reported on Form 1099-R from your Traditional IRA. It will also be reported as a conversion amount on Form 5498 from your Roth IRA. For more information on these forms, consult your tax advisor or visit the IRS Web site.

Reporting of Pension Plan and Keogh Plans

While TD Ameritrade does not handle the administrative aspects of employer-sponsored retirement plans, we are able to hold the assets in a tax-exempt trust account. In this case, the funds/assets would be held in the account here, and the trustee or trustees of the account (usually the benefits administrator of the sponsoring company) would be responsible for reporting the account activity to the IRS. For more information on trust accounts, please contact a New Client Consultant at 800-454-9272.

Market volatility, volume and system availability may delay account access and trade executions.

Educational resources are provided for general information purposes only and should not be considered an individualized recommendation or advice.

TD Ameritrade does not provide tax advice.

*Offer valid for one new Individual, Joint or IRA TD Ameritrade account opened by 03/31/2018 and funded within 60 calendar days of account opening with $3,000 or more. To receive $100 bonus, account must be funded with $25,000-$99,999. To receive $300 bonus, account must be funded with $100,000-249,999. To receive $600 bonus, account must be funded with $250,000 or more. Offer is not valid on tax-exempt trusts, 401k accounts, Keogh plans, Profit Sharing Plan, or Money Purchase Plan. Offer is not transferable and not valid with internal transfers, TD Ameritrade Institutional accounts, accounts managed by TD Ameritrade Investment Management, LLC, current TD Ameritrade accounts or with other offers. Qualified commission-free Internet equity, ETF or options orders will be limited to a maximum of 500 and must execute within 60 calendar days of account funding. Contract, exercise, and assignment fees still apply. Limit one offer per client. Account value of the qualifying account must remain equal to, or greater than, the value after the net deposit was made (minus any losses due to trading or market volatility or margin debit balances) for 12 months, or TD Ameritrade may charge the account for the cost of the offer at its sole discretion. TD Ameritrade reserves the right to restrict or revoke this offer at any time. This is not an offer or solicitation in any jurisdiction where we are not authorized to do business. Please allow 3-5 business days for any cash deposits to post to account. Taxes related to TD Ameritrade offers are your responsibility. Retail values totaling $600 or more during the calendar year will be included in your consolidated Form 1099. Please consult a legal or tax advisor for the most recent changes to the U.S. tax code and for rollover eligibility rules. (Offer Code: 220).